Statement attributable to Tom Wright, president and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA).
Regional Plan Association applauds the selection of Thomas Prendergast to be the new CEO of the Gateway Development Commission (GDC). Tom‘s experience delivering major capital projects, including the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway, makes him the ideal person to lead the GDC at this critical time. He is a trusted and highly respected transit leader and knows how to manage the complex contracting and construction of the Hudson Tunnel Project and future Gateway projects.
Gateway is the most urgent infrastructure project in the country and will shore up and double capacity along the backbone of our regional rail network. The Hudson Tunnel Project and upgrades to the Northeast Corridor will reduce travel times for transit riders while providing broad benefits to our regional economy.
With construction underway, we are already beginning to see the impact. RPA’s Early Work, Early Benefits report found that in-progress work has created 7,500 jobs and $1.6 billion in economic activity. The full project is expected to produce 95,000 new jobs and $19.6 billion in economic impact, 20,000 more than originally thought. This is only the beginning of the potential economic and job benefits of the full Gateway Program.
Tom has unparalleled experience delivering major capital projects, understands the crucial importance of the Gateway Program, and will work tirelessly to lead the GDC in delivering this critical infrastructure project. RPA is excited to have such an established leader at the helm to help take Gateway into its next chapter.
